Mick Mars, the legendary guitarist of Motley Crue, has filed a lawsuit against his own band alleging that they are trying to fire him by attempting to ‘gaslight’ him. This has left the fans and the music industry in shock as they try to uncover what led to this unexpected turmoil within the band. Here, we delve into the details of the lawsuit and explore what could have possibly gone wrong with one of rock’s most iconic bands.
Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars has filed legal papers against his bandmates in a move that has revealed a deep divide between the group members. Mars is demanding that the band hands over relevant documents about their businesses in advance of arbitration. He claims the group has withheld information about the various Motley Crue businesses that he has a 25% ownership share in, and has demanded he sign a severance agreement that would divest him of those and other future interests, in return for a 5% stake in the group’s 2023 tour, which is going on without him. The filing offers a provocative look at the tension between him and the others. Mars alleges that the band’s statement that he had “retired” completely from the band, without qualification, was part of a campaign to oust him entirely against his will.
Mars claims that he can still execute his parts perfectly, and is ready and able to participate in anything that does not subject him to the rigours of the road. He intended to stay in the band for recordings, one-off shows and possible residences, as well as maintain his financial interests, giving up only the touring aspect of the job. Guitarist John 5 has replaced him for the group’s current tour. Mars’ suit alleges that the group, particularly Nikki Sixx, a leader of the band in business matters, had a pattern of belittling him for years, telling him he had cognitive issues and insulting him about alleged poor playing on tour, including the stadium outing he completed with the band in 2022. In return, Mars alleges that the other members of the group engaged in partial or complete miming on that tour, saying that he was the only one performing completely live from the top to bottom of each show.
Motley Crue’s reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Mars’ legal action comes in the form of a “verified petition for writ of mandate to compel inspection and copying of books, records and documents” held by a half-dozen businesses that fall under the Motley Crue umbrella. He further says that the paperwork the group asked him to sign demanded he divest himself of associated businesses that he didn’t even know existed until now.
When he announced his retirement from the road last fall, shortly after completing a 36-date stadium tour, Mars, 71, cited crippling pain from the debilitating disease he has had since age 27, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), described as “a chronic, inflammatory form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine and pelvis.” Nevertheless, despite those issues, Mars claims he can still execute his parts perfectly, and is ready and able to participate in anything that does not subject him to the rigours of the road. He intended to stay in the band for recordings, one-off shows and possible residences, as well as maintain his financial interests, giving up only the touring aspect of the job.
In his suit, Mars recounts a history of felony convictions on the part of the other members — such as Vince Neil’s manslaughter conviction — and alleged drug and alcohol use, saying that the guitarist has the least reasons of anyone in the group to be let go on the basis of their decades-old agreement that gave everyone a 25% share. He alleges that the band members had a pattern of “gaslighting” in an attempt to kick him out of the group.
Mars is making clear now that the band’s statement was part of a campaign to oust him entirely against his will, and he does not intend to go quietly. Mars’ lawyer points out that it’s not unusual for a longtime member of a band that is a shareholder to maintain those rights even if they did quit or get fired. “Countless members have left countless bands (typically after much less than 41 years), or died, and still maintained (or their estates maintained) their shareholder, officer, and director status, as well as their concomitant right to profits,” says Mars’ lawyer.
The suit immediately clears up what has confused fans since he and other band members issued conflicting statements last October. At the time, Mars issued a statement saying he was giving up his touring duties as a result of worsening health issues, but otherwise would remain a member of the group. The following day, the other members issued their own statement, saying that Mars had “retired” completely from the band, without qualification.
Although Motley Crue did a “farewell tour” in the 2010s, Sixx said recently that they now want to tour into the early 2030s. However, given the deep divide that has now been exposed between the band members, it remains unclear whether this will be possible or whether they can reconcile their differences.
In conclusion, the news of Mick Mars filing a lawsuit against Motley Crue has left the rock world in shock and disbelief. The allegations of ‘gaslighting’ and attempted firing by Mars have brought to light some of the darker elements of the music industry, and the lengths that some bands will go to maintain their egos and reputations. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold, but one thing is certain – Mick Mars is not backing down. Whether he ultimately prevails or not, his courage in standing up for his rights and calling out the band’s behavior is commendable. We can only hope that justice will be served, and that the legacy of Motley Crue – and their treatment of their own members – will be scrutinized and questioned as a result of this lawsuit.
